NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Cleveland Browns will sign the 26-year-old Tretter when the new league year starts at 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

A fourth-round pick in 2013, Tretter struggled with injuries during his time in Green Bay, playing in just 31 of a possible 48 games, including 10 starts. He was playing at a high level in 2016 through the first seven games before an injury ended his year.

Tretter was replaced by Corey Linsley, who played well in the final nine games of the regular season. Linsley underwent ankle surgery this offseason, but he’s expected to be ready to go when training camp gets underway in July.

That’s how Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy described the status of a pair of his starting offensive linemen when he addressed the media Friday morning.

Right guard T.J. Lang and center J.C. Tretter each practiced on a limited basis yesterday, and McCarthy is feeling encouraged by the work they did.

“He’s improving. He felt good coming off the field,” McCarthy said of Lang’s practice on Thursday.” J.C. Tretter also had a really good day. Did some really good things. He felt good coming off the field.

“I think those guys are progressing. That’s a very good sign.”

Lang suffered a broken foot early in the Packers loss to Tennessee on Nov. 13, and he’s has missed the last three games, while Tretter injured his knee in the Oct. 30 loss at Atlanta. Rookie Jason Spriggs has filled in nicely for Lang, while veteran Corey Linsley, who started at center for Green Bay much of the last two years, has stepped in for Tretter.

McCarthy also liked the progress of outside linebacker Clay Matthews. He’s dealing with a shoulder injury that clearly limited him in the win over Houston last week.

“He’s just working on his strength,” McCarthy said. “He did all the individual stuff, hit the sleds and did all the things to get better. He’s improving.”

At times last week, Matthews was unable to raise his right arm and was a virtual non-factor in the game. But he played through it, and will likely need to do so again this week as fellow outside linebacker, Nick Perry, is out after undergoing surgery to repair several broken fingers.

Weather a factor?

McCarthy doesn’t trust his weather man any more than you trust yours. Asked about the potential for another snow game this Sunday against Seattle, McCarthy said they’ll wait and see what things look like twenty-four hours before kickoff.

“You look at the elements and you adjust accordingly. I don’t really talk about the weather until the team meeting (Saturday) because it can change. (Assistant) Matt Klein is our weather man and he’s kind of like your weather man. It changes every day.”

As of Friday morning, forecasters were calling for 3 to 5 inches of snow to fall in Green Bay on Sunday.